NRA Targets Carson City Council

On July 21, 2009 the City of Carson passed an ordinance (No. 09-1428) authored by Carson Councilmember Mike Gipson that requires the registration of all ammunition sales, catching the attention of the National Rifle Association (NRA). The ordinance also requires all ammunition vendors to obtain a license from the City, and will additionally require that all ammunition sales transactions to be conducted via a face-to-face transaction, effectively banning mail order and Internet purchases of ammunition. The ordinance is now waiting on the desk of Carson Mayor Jim Dear for his consideration. The ordinance does not require his signature to become law, and as such it will go into effect August 20, 2009.

According to Councilmember Mike Gipson, “this ordinance is not about the guns or the National Rifle Association, but it has everything to do with the young people in our cities that are losing their lives to drive by shooting and gangs. It’s an attempt to stop the access of ammunition to people who should not have guns in the first place. I am not surprised that the NRA is targeting me and my colleagues on the Council. This ordinance will lead the way in saving lives and keeping ammunition out of the hands of felons.”

The NRA has launched an online campaign targeting the Carson’s City Councilmembers with emails and phone calls. Even though the Council passed the ordinance, a councilmember has two weeks to rescind or change their vote. According to Gipson, all of the callers to date live outside of the City of the Carson. He’s received no opposition from the residents and voters of Carson regarding the ordinance.

“We are not trying to rewrite the 2nd Amendment and the Right to Bear Arms,” commented Councilmember Gipson. “What we are trying to do is curb the flow of ammunition into the hands of felons and save lives in the City of Carson.”

Let me break this down for you. This is just another classic example of how outsiders try to come in and run our communities. While they are usually successful at it, it looks like Carson may give the NRA a run for their money. Unless the NRA is going to pick up it’s national headquarters and relocate to the City of Carson, they have no say in the matter. It’s up to the City’s local government and the voters. If the voters who live in the same communities affected by the illegal flow of ammunition into the hands of gang members and others aren’t opposed to the ordinance, no other opinions matter. And certainly not those of an organization that has never been known give a damn about minority communities.

Jasmyne A. Cannick

Jasmyne Cannick is a nationally known writer and commentator on political, race and social issues. She was selected as one of ESSENCE Magazine’s 25 Women Shaping the World, one of the Most Influential African-Americans in Los Angeles Under 40, one of Los Angeles’ Most Fascinating Angelenos by the L.A. Weekly and one of 40 People Under 40 by the Advocate. She’s worked in the U.S. House of Representatives and at all levels of government helping to shape public opinion and encourage civic engagement while advocating for underrepresented and marginalized communities in the political arena. Learn more here.